Stay ConnectedChicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
The 58th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicked off this week with screenings in venues all over the city — even virtually, in people’s living rooms. The event spans 12 days and spotlights more than 90 features and 60 shorts, from big budget films to international indies to documentaries to, of course, local filmmakers. Reporter Leigh Giangreco is writing all about the festival this year. She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about a few key films with ties to Chicago.
Films We Discussed:
A Compassionate Spy, directed by Steve James
The Year Between, directed by Alex Heller
Call Jane, directed by Phyllis Nagy
King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones, directed by Harriet Marin Jones
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, directed by Rian Johnson
Devotion, directed by J.D. Dillard
58th Chicago International Film Festival Guide
Quick correction: Jacoby and Leigh misidentified the magazine that currently features Jonathan Majors on the cover. It's Men's Health magazine.
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For years, Illinois’ Black Panther Party worked in neighborhoods across Chicago in places like churches, high schools, and theaters. Leila Wills is the executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and she’s leading the effort to officially landmark some of the spots across Illinois and Chicago where the party was active. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Leila about these landmarks, the importance of restoring them, putting history into context – and her personal connection as the daughter of Illinois Black Panther Party members.
Hosted by Chuck D of Public Enemy
Some Good News: Elevate Chicago Dance 2022
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This episode sponsored by the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Check out their series of spooky events this month.
This Saturday, thousands of people will descend on Navy Pier for Slow and Low: Chicago Lowrider Festival. The exhibition will feature hundreds of custom cars, bikes, and other vehicles along with Mexican art and dance displays. Photographer and festival curator Edward “Magic” Calderon tells host Jacoby Cochran how lowrider culture is about more than the cars.
A little bit of news: Early voting has officially started. Plus if you haven’t yet registered to vote, today is the deadline to mail in your registration forms. Here are other voting dates you should know.
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This episode sponsored by the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Check out their series of spooky events this month, including nighttime ghost tours.
Fridays are for getting caught up on the week’s news and prepping for the weekend. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ’s City Hall reporter and Brandis Friedman, WTTW anchor extraordinaire, about the mayor’s new budget, WTTW’s Permanent Punishment series, tiny homes, and another cop-involved shooting. Plus, the Chicago Sun-Times loses its paywall, and volunteers archive key burial records of Black Chicagoans. And, Jacoby's good news is "Clyde's" at the Goodman Theatre.
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Host Jacoby Cochran always says when he pictures Chicago, the first neighborhood that pops in his head is Auburn Gresham. Growing up, visiting granny, and attending elementary school in the neighborhood cemented his love early. He joins Simone Alicea at the Auburn Park Lagoon for a stroll down memory lane. They also discuss some of his favorite things to do, see, and eat in Auburn Gresham.
Jacoby's List:
Auburn Park Lagoon
Foster Park
Dan Ryan Woods
Great Wall of Chicago
MLK Entertainment Center
Exclusive
Golden Tropical World
Harold’s
Jerk Villa
Eat & Run
The Hoagie Place
Maxwell’s
Cookie’s Cocktail Lounge
Some good news: Citywide Karaoke Competition
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Chicago Reader theater and dance editor Kerry Reid tells host Jacoby Cochran about plays she’s most excited about for fall.
Kerry's Picks:
The Twenty-Sided Tavern at Broadway Playhouse
Trouble in Mind at TimeLine Theatre
The Locusts from the Gift Theatre at Theater Wit
Jacoby's Picks:
1919 at Steppenwolf
Enough to Let the Light In from Teatro Vista at Steppenwolf
The Wizards at APO Cultural Center
Blue Heaven at Black Ensemble Theater
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In 2022, Chicago celebrated the centennial birthday of the city’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. Washington died in 1987 at the start of his second term. His historic election was propelled by a coalition of Black, brown, and progressive voters who saw Washington as the start of a new reform government. In April, host Jacoby Cochran talked about Washington’s life and legacy with Laura Washington, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, ABC-7, and one-time press secretary for Harold Washington (no relation). With the new documentary about “Punch 9 for Harold Washington” slated to open at AMC theaters Friday, we revisit our conversation with Laura.
This conversation was originally published on April 18, 2022.
A little bit of news: Check here for road closures around Grant Park leading up to this weekend’s marathon.
RSVP for the Indigenous Peoples Day Fest!
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Anyone who’s had a headache probably doesn’t think too hard before popping a Tylenol or other pain pill. But in late September 1982, the country was gripped with panic as taking a Tylenol could suddenly be deadly. That’s after six people in the northwest suburbs and one person in the city died after taking tainted pills. It led to a nationwide recall, waves of false tips, and copycat killers. “Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders,” a new podcast and print series from the Chicago Tribune and At Will Media, explores the decades-long saga and uncovers new details. Chicago Tribune investigative reporters Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair reported the series and co-host the podcast. Stacy tells host Jacoby Cochran how a tip to her and her colleagues could bring some closure to this case.
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This episode sponsored by the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Check out their series of spooky events this month, including nighttime ghost tours.
Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, and producer Simone Alicea break down the top stories of the week, highlight some news that needs more attention, and share their good news. Stories include the a new Chinatown high school moving forward despite pushback from the community, a Depaul student scamming residents at a Rogers Park encampment, carless streets, and a mayoral endorsement. Plus, some good news!
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Since Roe v. Wade was overturned this summer, Latinas have faced an influx of Spanish-language misinformation and disinformation about abortion. Confusion over state abortion laws, including in Illinois, has enabled this misinformation to spread, especially on social media. Host Jacoby Cochran speaks to Dr. Melissa Simon, OB-GYN at Northwestern Medicine and director of the Center for Health Equity Transformation, about why Latinas are being targeted and what we can do to combat this misinformation.
Come to the City Cast Chicago Happy Hour Thursday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing. Drinks on us!
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